Washing machine tub



Oct.l 6, 1931. T. W. BEHAN 1,826,236

WASHING MACHINE TUB Filed Jan. l2, 1928 INVENTOR Patented Oct. 6, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE THOMAS `W. BEHAN, OF BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, ASSIG-NOR TO NINETEEN HUNDREDv CORPORATION, OF BINGHAMTON, NEWl YORK, A CORPORATION F NEW YORK WASHING MACHINE TUB Application led January 12, 1928. Serial No. 246,141.

and the like. Tubs of various types have been manufactured and used with various degrees of success but no tub has ever quite satisfied all requirements. Tubs formed entirely of copper offer cert-ain advantages; for example, the copper resists the corrosive effects of the strong alkalis and various ingredients used in washing powders, but it is relativelyysoft and easily damaged by rough usage. The present method of selling household appliances, and particularly washing machines, frequently involves shipping the machine to the home for a demonstration there and may involve leaving the tub in charge of the customer for a substantial period of time. It is not unusual that a particular machine is demonstrated in several homes before it is finally sold and in many cases the tub is carelessly handled, either in shipment orduring the temporary use, so that refinishing is necessary before it can be shipped to a new prospective customer for demonstration.

The present invention provides an improved tub having a copper inner surface adapted to withstand the efects'of the solutions used irt washing and an outer steel member adapted' to withstand the effects of careless handling. 1' j The nature and objects of the invention will be better understood from a description of a particular -illustrative embodiment for the purpose of which description, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and in which- Figure 1 is a sectional view ofya washing machine tub embodying the principles of the invention,

Figure 2 is a detail view of the joint between the side wall and bottom member of the tub, and

Figure 3 is a view showing the joint partially formed to indicate the arrangement of the parts. A

The structure lshown for the purposes of illustrating the invention'is built up to provide a copper interior with a steel exterior. By this arrangement, the action of the solutions used iseiiectively resisted by the copper, as in the case of tubs made entirely of this material. However, the disadvantages of the all copper tub due to the softness of the copper and the readiness with which it is damaged are avoided by the provision of the steel exterior. e.

In the structure shown, the cylindrical laminated side wall of the tub consists of an inner sheet 5 of copper reinforced by an outer shell 6 of sheet steel.- The copper may be of any desired thickness, but may be relatively thin, since there is no strain ,on it, and copper as thin as a 6 ounce sheet may be. used effectively. The bottom member 7 maybe similar to the side wall or it may be made, as shown, entirely of copper since from its position it is less subject to damage in handling. If made entirely of copper, is preferably somewhat thicker than the copper sheet of the side wall and may be, for example, of a 6 ounce sheet.

The steel of the side wall may conveniently be 18 gauge sheet steel.

If desired, the inner surface of the copper of both the bottom and side wall may be nickel plated and because of the nature of the material, it ma be nickel plated while in shletiform and fore the fabrication of the tu The joint between the side wall and bottom member is preferably so formed as to exclude air from between the copper and steel of the side wall to prevent corrosion. As shown, the copper sheet of the side wall extends substantially beyond the edge ofthe steel sheet, as indicated at 9 in Fig. 3,'and the sheet 7 forming the bottom is folded around the edge of the copper side wall m/ember and upwardly against the outer face of the steel sheet 6 vent access of air or moisture between the copper and steel.

The foregoing description of a particular embodiment is illustrative merely and is not intended as defining tlie limits of the invention.

I claim:

l. A washing machine tub comprising separate side wall and bottom members, said side wall consisting of a laminated sheet having an outer steel sheet capable of resisting indent-ation and a thin inner copper sheet extending below said steel sheet, the bottom member consisting of a relatively heavy sheet of copper only, the adjoining edges of said inner copper sheet of the side wall and said bottom member beingf'folded together around the lower end of said steel sheet to :form an air and water tight oint exposing within the tub only a copper surface and excluding air from between the laminae.

2. A washing machine tub comprising separate side wall and bottom members, said side wall consisting of a laminated sheet having an outer steel sheet capable of resisting indentation and a thin inner copper sheet extending below said steel sheet, the bottom member consisting of a relatively heavy sheet of copper only, the adjoining" edges of said inner copper sheet of the side wall and said bottom member being bent around the lower end of said steel sheet, and said bottom member extending beyond and being bent over the free end of said inner copper sheet to form an air and water tight joint exposing within the tub only a copper surface and excluding air from between the laminae.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 8th day ot De- 40 cember, 1927.

'THOMAS W., BEEMN.

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